HR0551 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0551 LRB099 12663 GRL 36344 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) was founded in 1891; the organization represents about 750,000 workers in the electrical industry in the United States, Canada, Panama, and several Caribbean nations; and

WHEREAS, Lonnie Stephenson was born in Moline; he was initiated into the IBEW in 1976 and began his apprenticeship as an inside wireman with IBEW Rock Island Local 145; and

WHEREAS, Lonnie Stephenson quickly became an active member of IBEW Rock Island Local 145; he was appointed Vice President in 1984 and President in 1987; and

WHEREAS, Lonnie Stephenson led the effort to pass a $5 million bond initiative in Davenport, Iowa, to help renovate the city's waterfront area; in 1998, he helped to oversee the construction of the Quad Cities Electrical Training Facility; and

WHEREAS, In 2002, Lonnie Stephenson was appointed Representative of the IBEW Sixth District, serving Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin; in 2010, he was appointed International Vice President of the IBEW Sixth District; and

WHEREAS, On May 27, 2015, Edwin D. Hill announced his retirement as IBEW International President; Illinois native Lonnie Stephenson was named Hill's successor and will assume the position of IBEW International President on June 1, 2015; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Lonnie Stephenson on the occasion of his appointment as International President of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and wish him much success in his new position; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Lonnie Stephenson as a symbol of our esteem and respect.